Florida Panther ID Tips

The Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi), aka puma, cougar or mountain lion, is considered of historical occurrence in Louisiana. The historic range included eastern Texas or western Louisiana and the east lower Mississippi River Valley through the southeastern states (Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and parts of Tennessee and South Carolina). Even though numerous sighting reports continue to surface annually throughout its historic range, it is unlikely that viable populations of the Florida panther presently occur outside Florida. Each year the Louisiana Natural Heritage Program receives calls reporting panther sightings, most of these reports remain unconfirmed because of a lack of evidence.

If you believe you saw a panther, check for the following:

Tracks—if possible, take a picture and/or make a cast of the track, and/or draw the track on a hard clear plastic with a permanent marker.